Usually histories are about kings and wars.
Braudel's series of books is about land, people, and technology, commerce, transportation etc.. the actual things that affected everyday life,, and also how things changed.
Lots of what some would call "Trivia" but it goes into more details and how these observations fit into a larger picture.
It should be on everyone's bookshelf. I own two of the three voumes in my library, but am happy I now can read it on my iPad.